Gripless Exercise Glove

ABSTRACT

A gripless exercise glove contains an internal support structure, a plurality of fastening straps, and a glove. External weight may be attached to the glove by the plurality of fastening straps to allow the user to perform various exercises. The internal support structure contains an adjustable palm band and an adjustable wrist band, each wrap around and attach to the hand. The two bands are connected together by the first stabilizing strap and the second stabilizing strap. The plurality of fastening straps is laterally and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable palm band, positioned on the inside of the palm region. The glove contains a palm side, a wrist opening, and a plurality of paired slits. The plurality of paired slits traverses through the palm side. The internal support structure is positioned and attached within the glove with the plurality of fastening straps traversing through the plurality of paired slits.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/903,148 filed on Nov. 12, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to exercise accessories. More specifically, the present invention is an exercise glove containing gripping features that allow the user to attach free weights and other similar objects to the glove without requiring the user to physically grasp the object. Additionally, the exercise glove uses an internal support structure to add joint support for the wrist during exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physical exercise is any bodily activity which promotes and or maintains a person's physical fitness and mental health, an essential activity for a long and healthy life. Physical exercise promotes a healthy cardiovascular system, strengthens and builds muscles, burns unnecessary fat, reduces stress and anxiety, promotes healthy self-esteem, and releases endorphins to list a few of the numerous benefits. Two major reasons that drive humans to engage in physical activities include athletic competition and physical fitness as they are highly regarded in today's society. Sport-based activities provide healthy hobbies for the individual as well as bring people together, promote fitness, provide entertainment, and in some cases lead to fame and fortune.

Free weights are a popular accessory for physical exercises but they require the user to grip the equipment during the operation resulting in a physical limitation on the body movements and therefore exercise activities that may be performed. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an exercise glove that does not require the user to grip the free weight or exercising object. The present invention allows the user to attach a weight to the glove without requiring the hand to hold the object or weight thus reducing the amount of stress applied to the wrist joint and the associated muscles in the area; this allows for a greater variety of physical exercises and activities. With the hand open, the weight may be distributed on to different portions of the body depending on the position and activity of the user, for example raising the hands above the head will put the weight on the back and bone structure of the arms.

The present invention may be used for muscle toning, stretching, aerobic, cardiovascular, and deep breathing exercises. Additionally, the present invention may also be utilized for physical therapy such as arm and finger rehabilitation and strengthening exercise. Furthermore, the present invention allows the user to perform activities such as martial arts, yoga, Pilates, and other similar movement based exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the internal support structure for the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the internal supports structure and the plurality of fastening straps on a user's hand.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective of the glove for the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention attached to a hand and gripping a free weight.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention attached to a hand and gripping a free weight.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a gripless exercise glove which allows the user to perform a variety of nontraditional physical activities with a weighted object, more specifically a dumbbell or free weight of some sort. The present invention uses a multitude of straps distributed about the front surface to wrap around and supports the weight. The gripping features of the present invention allow the user to vary the weight being held by the glove past the gripping capabilities of the user. In addition to being highly compatible with traditional free weights found in the majority of gyms, the present invention may also be used with equipment that require a secure and steady grip such as an elongate barbell most often used for squatting, bench pressing, and dead lifting.

The present invention comprises an internal support structure 9, a glove 1, and a plurality of fastening straps 16. The internal support structure 9 fastens the present invention to the hand of the user, specifically to the palm and wrist regions as seen in FIG. 4. The internal support structure 9 mitigates the stresses felt by the wrist joint by providing structural support to the joint and redirecting weight/stresses to alternative regions of the body. The glove 1 covers and protects the majority of the user's hand from training abrasions while simultaneously increasing contact with the lifting surface. It is understood that various kinds of exercise gloves may be altered and used as the glove 1 of the present invention. The plurality of fastening straps 16 is used to grip and couple a free weight, or a similar object, to the internal support structure 9, the glove 1, and subsequently the user's hand.

Referring to FIG. 3, the internal support structure 9 comprises an adjustable palm band 10, an adjustable wrist band 11, a first stabilizing strap 14, and a second stabilizing strap 15. The adjustable palm band 10 and the adjustable wrist band 11 bind/attach to the key regions of the hand while the first stabilizing strap 14 and the second stabilizing strap 15 provide the structural support by connecting the two bands together. The adjustable wrist band 11 and the adjustable palm band 10 are positioned coincident and offset to each other; the adjustable wrist band 11 wraps around and attaches to the wrist portion of the hand to provide joint support under strenuous conditions. The adjustable palm band 10 wraps around the palm and the back of the hand to facilitate the attachment of weights and other similar objects to the present invention. The adjustable palm band 10 wraps around the majority of the metacarpal region of the hand as this region is most often used to hold free weights and other similar exercise equipment. The first stabilizing strap 14 and the second stabilizing strap 15 are positioned between the adjustable palm band 10 and the adjustable wrist band 11 as seen in FIG. 3. The plurality of fastening straps 16 is laterally and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable palm band 10; the preferred number of fastening straps 16 is three to ensure a secure hold. The plurality of fastening straps 16 is distributed along the adjustable palm band 10, adjacent to the first stabilizing strap 14 as seen in FIG. 4. This design places the plurality of fastening straps 16 in the center of the palm of the hand.

The majority of exercises which use free weights require the wrist joint to stay locked or move up and down; it is an object of the present invention to provide joint support specifically for such movements in order to prevent hyperextension and excessive stress application to the wrists of the user. In the preferred embodiment, the first stabilizing strap 14 and the second stabilizing strap 15 are oriented parallel and offset to each other for equal support above and below the wrist. One end of the first stabilizing strap 14 is adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable palm band 10, while the other end of the first stabilizing strap 14 is adjacently and perpendicularly attached to the adjustable wrist band 11, opposite the adjustable palm band 10. One end of the second stabilizing strap 15 is adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable wrist band 11, opposite the first stabilizing strap 14, while the other end is adjacently and perpendicularly attached to the adjustable palm band 10. This configuration places the first stabilizing strap 14 on the inside of the hand, running from the middle of the palm to the wrist region. Additionally, this configuration places the second stabilizing strap 15 on the back of the hand, reaching from the back of the hand to the wrist region.

The glove 1 comprises a palm side 2, a wrist opening 3, a plurality of paired slits 4, a back-hand side 6, a thumb sleeve 7, and an at least one finger sleeve 8. Various other features and aspects may also be incorporated into the present invention; features include, but are not limited to, closed finger sleeves, additional padding, adjustable wrist straps, through holes and slits for ventilation, and other features common to exercise. The internal support structure 9 is positioned within the glove 1 with the adjustable wrist band 11 being positioned and attached adjacent to the wrist opening 3 in order to couple the glove 1 and the internal support structure 9. In the preferred embodiment, the wrist opening 3 and the adjustable wrist band 11 contain complimentary hook-and-loop fasteners that engage to laterally attach the adjustable wrist band 11 to the glove 1; alternative fastening means and fastening regions may be in instead or in addition to the hook-and-loop fasteners. The plurality of paired slits 4 is positioned adjacent to the adjustable palm band 10 and traverse through the palm side 2 in order to facilitate the placement of the plurality of fastening straps 16. Each of the plurality of fastening straps 16 traverses through a corresponding pair of slits from the plurality of paired slits 4 as seen in FIG. 1. The plurality of fastening straps 16 is located inside the palm region and allows the user to attach free weights and other similar objects to the glove 1 as seen in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

Each of the plurality of fastening straps 16 comprises a first strip 17 and a second strip 18 of a certain length. The first strip 17 and the second strip 18 each comprise a coupling end 19 and a fixed end 20. The fixed end 20 of the first strip 17 is positioned adjacent to the fixed end 20 of the second strip 18, and both are connected to the adjustable palm band 10. Contrary to the fixed end 20, the coupling end 19 is free moving and contains a fastening mechanism that allows the coupling end 19 of the first strip 17 and the second strip 18 to attach to each other to form a circular hold around weights or other similar objects as seen in FIG. 6. Fastening mechanisms include, but are not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, adhesive, clips, and other similar mechanisms.

The back-hand side 6 is positioned adjacent to the second stabilizing strap 15 to provide support and protection to the back portion of the hand. The thumb sleeve 7 and the at least one finger sleeve 8 is integrated between the back-hand side 6 and the palm side 2. The thumb sleeve 7 is laterally positioned on the glove 1 and oriented away from the adjustable palm band 10. Furthermore, the at least one finger sleeve 8 is positioned adjacent to the adjustable palm band 10 such that the present invention may be worn on a typical hand.

In the preferred embodiment, the glove 1 further comprises a traction strip 5 that prevents the attached weight from translating and or rotating while being held by the present invention. The traction strip 5 is orientated parallel to the adjustable palm band 10 and is externally connected across the palm side 2 as seen in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the traction strip 5 is positioned in between each of the plurality of paired slits 4 such that when an object is attached it is in direct contact with the traction strip 5. The traction strip 5 provides a gripping affect through a high friction material composition such as leather, and or other similar materials. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the adjustable palm band 10, the adjustable wrist band 11, the first stabilizing strap 14, and the second stabilizing strap 15 all utilize hook-and-loop fasteners to allow the user to adjust the size and other similar characteristics of the present invention to his/her personal preference. More specifically, the adjustable palm band 10 and the adjustable wrist band 11 each are an attachment strip. The attachment strip comprises a first fastening end 12 and a second fastening end 13. The first fastening end 12 and the second fastening end 13 are positioned opposite to each other along the attachment strip. The attachment strip is composed of a strong, flexible, and non abrasive material which human skin may be exposed to for a prolonged period of time; material composition include, but are not limited to, leather, rubber, and other similar materials.

To attach the present invention, the adjustable palm band 10 and the adjustable wrist band 11 are first wrapped around the hand at their respective areas as seen FIG. 4. The first fastening end 12 is then engaged to the second fastening end 13 of each attachment strip through a hook-and-loop fastener. Next the first stabilizing strap 14 and the second stabilizing strap 15 are positioned and attached in between the attachment strips. The second stabilizing strap 15 is adjacently attached to the engagement between the first fastening end 12 and the second fastening end 13 of the adjustable palm band 10;

this is accomplished through another hook-and-loop fastener. The first stabilizing strap 14 is diametrically opposed to the second stabilizing strap 15 about the adjustable palm band 10. In a similar fashion, the first stabilizing strap 14 is adjacently attached to the engagement between the first fastening end 12 and the second fastening end 13 of the adjustable wrist band 11. The second stabilizing strap 15 is diametrically opposed to the first stabilizing strap 14 about the adjustable wrist band 11. Next the glove 1 is put over the hand, the internal support structure 9, and secured via the hook-and-loop fastener on the wrist opening 3 and the adjustable wrist band 11. Simultaneously, the plurality of fastening straps 16 is fed through the plurality of paired slits 4 where they are free to engage the weight as seen in FIG. 1.

In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of fastening straps 16 is fed through the plurality of paired slits 4 and stitched to the glove 1 as seen in FIG. 2; some fastening straps of the plurality of fastening straps 16 may not be stitched to the glove 1 for a more equal structural support of the present invention. In place of the traction strip 5 a holding band 21 is placed and attached. The holding band 21 comprises a first end 22 and a second end 23; the holding band 21 is positioned around the glove 1 as seen in FIG. 2 and

FIG. 7. The holding band 21 is positioned between each of the plurality of paired slits 4 and thus coupling the internal support structure 9, the plurality of fastening straps 16, and the glove 1 together for a tighter hold around the user's hand. The first end 22 and the second end 23 are attached to the back-hand side 6 through a hook-and-loop fastening mechanism as seen in FIG. 7. This embodiment ensures that neither the glove 1 nor the internal support structure 9 translate or rotate relative to each other or the user's hand.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gripless exercise glove comprises: a glove; an internal support structure; a plurality of fastening straps; the internal support structure comprises an adjustable palm band, an adjustable wrist band, a first stabilizing strap, and a second stabilizing strap; the glove comprises a palm side, a wrist opening, and a plurality of paired slits; the adjustable palm band and the adjustable wrist band being positioned coincident and offset to each other; the first stabilizing strap and the second stabilizing strap being positioned between the adjustable palm band and the adjustable wrist band; the plurality of fastening straps being laterally and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable palm band; the plurality of fastening straps being distributed along the adjustable palm band, adjacent to the first stabilizing strap; the internal support structure being positioned within the glove; the adjustable wrist band being positioned adjacent to the wrist opening; the plurality of paired slits traversing through the palm side; the plurality of paired slits being positioned adjacent to the adjustable palm band; and each the plurality of fastening straps traversing through a corresponding pair of slits from the plurality of paired slits.
 2. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the first stabilizing strap and the second stabilizing strap being oriented parallel and offset to each other; the first stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable palm band; the first stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly attached to the adjustable wrist band, opposite the adjustable palm band; the second stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable wrist band, opposite the first stabilizing strap; and the second stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly attached to the adjustable palm band.
 3. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the adjustable wrist band being laterally attached to the glove.
 4. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the glove further comprises a traction strip; the traction strip being oriented parallel to the adjustable palm band; the traction strip being externally connected across the palm side; and the traction strip being positioned in between each of the plurality of paired slits.
 5. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the glove further comprises a back-hand side, a thumb sleeve, and an at least one finger sleeve; the back-hand side being positioned adjacent to the second stabilizing strap; the thumb sleeve and the at least one finger sleeve being integrated between the back-hand portion and the palm side; the thumb sleeve being laterally positioned on the glove; the at least one finger sleeve being positioned adjacent to the adjustable palm band; and the thumb sleeve being oriented away from the adjustable palm band.
 6. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: each of the plurality of fastening straps comprises a first strip and a second strip; the first strip and the second strip each comprises a coupling end and a fixed end; the fixed end of the first strip being positioned adjacent to the fixed end of the second strip; and the fixed end for both the first strip and the second strip being connected to the adjustable palm band.
 7. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the adjustable palm band and the adjustable wrist band each being an attachment strip; the attachment strip comprises a first fastening end and a second fastening end; the first fastening end and the second fastening end being positioned opposite to each other along the attachment strip; and the first fastening end being engaged to the second fastening end.
 8. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 7 comprises: the second stabilizing strap being adjacently attached to the engagement between the first fastening end and the second fastening end of the adjustable palm band; and the first stabilizing strap being diametrically opposed to the second stabilizing strap about the adjustable palm band.
 9. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 7 comprises: the first stabilizing strap being adjacently attached to the engagement between the first fastening end and the second fastening end of the adjustable wrist band; and the second stabilizing strap being diametrically opposed to the first stabilizing strap about the adjustable wrist band.
 10. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a holding band; the holding band comprises a first end and second end; the holding band being positioned around the glove; the holding band being positioned between each of the plurality of paired slits; the first end and the second end being attached to the back-hand side;
 11. A gripless exercise glove comprises: a glove; an internal support structure; a plurality of fastening straps; a holding band; the internal support structure comprises an adjustable palm band, an adjustable wrist band, a first stabilizing strap, and a second stabilizing strap; the glove comprises a palm side, a wrist opening, and a plurality of paired slits; the adjustable palm band and the adjustable wrist band being positioned coincident and offset to each other; the first stabilizing strap and the second stabilizing strap being positioned between the adjustable palm band and the adjustable wrist band; the plurality of fastening straps being laterally and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable palm band; the plurality of fastening straps being distributed along the adjustable palm band, adjacent to the first stabilizing strap; the internal support structure being positioned within the glove; the adjustable wrist band being positioned adjacent to the wrist opening; the plurality of paired slits traversing through the palm side; the plurality of paired slits being positioned adjacent to the adjustable palm band; each the plurality of fastening straps traversing through a corresponding pair of slits from the plurality of paired slits; the holding band comprises a first end and second end; the holding band being positioned around the glove; the holding band being positioned between each of the plurality of paired slits; and the first end and the second end being attached to the back-hand side.
 12. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the first stabilizing strap and the second stabilizing strap being oriented parallel and offset to each other; the first stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable palm band; the first stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly attached to the adjustable wrist band, opposite the adjustable palm band; the second stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly connected to the adjustable wrist band, opposite the first stabilizing strap; and the second stabilizing strap being adjacently and perpendicularly attached to the adjustable palm band.
 13. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the adjustable wrist band being laterally attached to the glove.
 14. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the glove further comprises a traction strip; the traction strip being oriented parallel to the adjustable palm band; the traction strip being externally connected across the palm side; and the traction strip being positioned in between each of the plurality of paired slits.
 15. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the glove further comprises a back-hand side, a thumb sleeve, and an at least one finger sleeve; the back-hand side being positioned adjacent to the second stabilizing strap; the thumb sleeve and the at least one finger sleeve being integrated between the back-hand portion and the palm side; the thumb sleeve being laterally positioned on the glove; the at least one finger sleeve being positioned adjacent to the adjustable palm band; and the thumb sleeve being oriented away from the adjustable palm band.
 16. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 11 comprises: each of the plurality of fastening straps comprises a first strip and a second strip; the first strip and the second strip each comprises a coupling end and a fixed end; the fixed end of the first strip being positioned adjacent to the fixed end of the second strip; and the fixed end for both the first strip and the second strip being connected to the adjustable palm band.
 17. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 11 comprises: the adjustable palm band and the adjustable wrist band each being an attachment strip; the attachment strip comprises a first fastening end and a second fastening end; the first fastening end and the second fastening end being positioned opposite to each other along the attachment strip; and the first fastening end being engaged to the second fastening end.
 18. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 17 comprises: the second stabilizing strap being adjacently attached to the engagement between the first fastening end and the second fastening end of the adjustable palm band; and the first stabilizing strap being diametrically opposed to the second stabilizing strap about the adjustable palm band.
 19. The gripless exercise glove as claimed in claim 17 comprises: the first stabilizing strap being adjacently attached to the engagement between the first fastening end and the second fastening end of the adjustable wrist band; and the second stabilizing strap being diametrically opposed to the first stabilizing strap about the adjustable wrist band. 